Tecpro: shaping the future of safety in F1

France's involvement in Formula 1 is not limited to Renault and Romain Grosjean; a French company is also helping to improve driver safety with its innovative Tecpro barrier technology. We met with its creator, Rafaël Galiana.

At the foot of Garlaban, the Provençal peak celebrated by Marcel Pagnol, in the Napollon business park in Aubagne, Rafaël Galiana founded the French branch of his company Tecpro. Originally from Marseille and a lifelong motorsports enthusiast, Rafaël Galiana spent years behind the wheel on racetracks around the world before turning his attention to a problem that continues to plague drivers: the insufficient shock absorption of conventional tire walls and guardrails. Although headquartered in France, Tecpro operates internationally, with factories in China, Tunisia, and the United States, an office in Hong Kong, and a presence at most circuits that host motorsports events. The company first made a name for itself by supplying more than 300 karting tracks around the world. Its breakthrough came when it presented its safety solution to the FIA, the body that governs circuit safety. The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix was the first race to use Tecpro barriers, whose remarkable ability to absorb impacts at speeds of up to 220 km/h (approximately 137 mph) comes from a flexible polyethylene construction and an integrated strap system that keeps the barrier intact and prevents penetration in the event of a collision. It took six years of meetings and crash test demonstrations to convince Formula 1 officials. Mr. Galiana's in-depth knowledge of motorsports is a major asset, as he explains: “When it comes to safety, we know what we're talking about. When we arrive at a circuit, we can spot the critical points and know how to improve them. ” Yet despite this expertise, many promoters are slow to replace outdated tire walls with the Tecpro solution. “Circuits are doing the bare minimum,” he laments. “In Brazil, for example, only one corner uses Tecpro, while promoters have chosen to spend their money on completely rebuilding the stands. ” However, the recent history of Formula 1 offers clear proof of Tecpro's value: drivers such as Max Verstappen in Monaco and Carlos Sainz Jr. in Sochi walked away unscathed after crashing into Tecpro barriers, and Sainz's father personally thanked Mr. Galiana for the technology that saved his son. Today, all new circuits incorporate Tecpro barriers, but not always along the entire track. Mr. Galiana smiles as he says, “It's either the tires or us!” Although the blocks are slightly more expensive than traditional tire walls, they are now part of the specifications of the FIA and circuit designers. They also offer logistical and environmental benefits: they require fewer containers, are quicker to install, and have a lower carbon footprint. A typical circuit disposes of around 20 tires per year, whereas it would only dispose of two Tecpro blocks. Transporting a complete tire barrier requires around 400 trucks, compared to just 40 containers for Tecpro. Having established itself in the motorsport niche, Galiana continues to aim for global expansion of Tecpro. Passion remains his main driver, and he quietly supports a handful of emerging drivers, helping the next generation of talent while continuing to advance safety.